Call for Applications – Nonresident Research Fellowship
Institute for Future Conflict
U.S. Air Force Academy
The Institute for Future Conflict (IFC) at the United States Air Force Academy invites applications for its annual nonresident research fellows program. The IFC exists to advance understanding of and preparation for future conflict through research, education and leader development, and external engagement. Dedicated to cultivating flexible warfighters prepared to prevail in conflict no matter what form it takes, its work spans emerging technologies, strategic competition, adversary doctrine, force design, operational adaptation, the changing relationship between military power and society, and other germane topics. Through initiatives such as the Future Conflict Minor and partnerships across government, academia, and industry, the IFC cultivates sharp diagnoses of future operational environments and adaptive approaches to preparing for them.
The nonresident fellows program supports this mission by convening rising and established thinkers whose work can contribute to ongoing debates about future war and statecraft. The IFC welcomes applicants whose work demonstrates originality, rigor, and relevance to any aspect of future conflict and strategic competition.
Program
The nonresident fellows program coincides with the academic year and lasts for one calendar year. Fellows will convene at USAFA on August 21 for a kickoff workshop and then again the following summer, usually in June, at a central location to present their research. The initial workshop will serve as an opportunity for the fellows to present their project plans, receive feedback, and set publication deadlines. The IFC covers costs of travel and offers a $2,000 honorarium, provided that fellows remain active contributors to the intellectual life of the IFC over the course of the fellowship.
Rather than adhering to a rigid cohort model, the fellowship is tailored to expertise, research objectives, and desired forms of engagement with the IFC community. In collaboration with the fellowship director, successful candidates will develop individualized engagement plans that align their interests and strengths with IFC priorities and opportunities. Plans must include one written product for the IFC website. Examples include:
· Producing original written research, policy analysis, or commentary.
· Collaborating with IFC-affiliated scholars on research, publications, or applied projects.
· Delivering presentations to cadets, military, policymaker, or industry audiences.
· Supporting cadet research or contributing to educational initiatives associated with the Future Conflict Minor and related programs.
· Participating in IFC workshops, speaker series, and wargames.
· Supporting dialogue across academic, operational, technical, and policy communities relevant to future conflict.
The fellowship is designed to accommodate a range of professional trajectories. Doctoral candidates and early-career scholars may use the fellowship to refine research agendas, expand professional networks, and develop publication pipelines. Mid-career and senior scholars may leverage the affiliation to engage defense audiences, contribute to strategic debates, or support cadets and emerging scholars. Practitioners may use the fellowship to connect operational experience and innovation efforts with broader academic and policy discussions. The program is also intended to foster enduring professional relationships among fellows, both past and present.
Eligibility
The IFC nonresident research fellows program is open to any U.S. citizen whose work focuses on an aspect of future conflict and strategic competition. Candidate must possess at least a master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Application Process
All applications must contain: 1) a CV, 2) a 1- to 2-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s background, perceived fit with the IFC, and proposed project / contributions, and 3) a previously published writing sample. While the IFC seeks to remain on the cutting edge of AI, applicants are expected to submit original materials that accurately reflect their own research, analysis, and writing abilities.
Applications open on June 1st and are due by close of business on June 30th. They should be emailed to Dr. Kerry Chávez at kerry.chavez@afacademy.af.edu and cc'd to Dr. Layne Hancock at cary.hancock@afacademy.af.edu.